Chapter 36
The first thing I do the next morning after I drop Gus off at school is return the too-tight, uncomfortable, beautiful dress the color of sunshine.
“Oh, honey, are you sure?” Paula looks surprised when I walk into the shop and tell her I want to make a return. “It’s such a great color on you.”
“I’m sure,” I sigh. “I love it in theory, but it just…doesn’t fit, unfortunately.”
Paula taps her acrylic fingernail against her bold purple lipstick. “Just a second, hon. I got a shipment in this morning. I might have something for you.”
She disappears into the back room and I pull the napkin list out of my purse. I cross off the dress with a feeling of regret. But as Dani reminded me earlier when we met to catch up with Byrdie’s lattes before she went to work, saying no to good things leaves room for the great things.
“I’m saying no to this dress that doesn’t fit so I can leave room for something better,” I repeat to myself.
Dani encouraged me to practice the phrase over and over so I’d be better at saying no and holding firm.
When I told her my plan to ignore the vision and why, she was one hundred percent on board.
Now, in her enthusiasm and excitement, I’m having to hold her back from planning my new life.
I have to do this on my own. I look at the list and frown.
What should I keep and what should I replace?
I guess I’ll figure that out as I go along.
I’m making a new list one step at a time.
“You’re in luck!” Paula chortles as she bustles back into the room.
She’s holding a big cardboard box. “Just came in this morning, and I think it’s the next size up.
” She opens the bag and pulls out the exact same yellow dress.
I check the tag, feeling momentarily unsure.
It’s my size. I had resigned myself to giving up on the dress even though I love it.
I hesitate. Is this dress what I really want?
“Feel free to try it on,” Paula tells me. I hesitate, running the fabric through my fingers. It’s a beautiful dress and a great color on me. Even if I hadn’t seen it in the vision, I’d still want it. It’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen.
“I’d love to try it on,” I tell Paula. In the dressing room I peel off my yoga pants and bamboo-fiber tee and slip the dress over my head. It’s a perfect fit. The zipper slides up to the top easily and—gloriously—I can breathe!
I twirl in front of the mirror, amazed by how radiant and comfortable I feel in the dress. I love it.
“How is it, hon?” Paula calls.
“Perfect,” I answer, beaming at myself in the mirror. It feels perfect for me.
Five minutes later I walk out of the shop with another bag, this time with the right size dress inside. I stop just outside the door and pull out the napkin and a pen. I make a correction to the list and then I put a check mark beside it.
· Yellow dress the right yellow dress that fits!
Feeling strangely jubilant, I head for the shop, delighted that at least for this morning, I’ve figured out one right thing. For now, that is enough.
I’m almost to the shop when I get a text from Dot asking me to come to the Green Light Diner.
Urgent meeting about the county, her texts says.
That sounds serious. Alarmed, I change direction and head for the diner, wondering what has happened.
Mom, Walt, and Dot are already there at a table in the window.
Hilda is there too, which is a surprise.
Dot waves to me when I come in. I slide into a seat and set my bag on the ground.
“Morning, everyone. What’s so urgent? What’s going on?
” I look around the table. Everyone is just drinking coffee except Walt, who is tucking into the Hungry Viking Signature Platter, an enormous plate of breakfast foods that includes buttermilk biscuits, hash browns, ham, eggs, bacon, and gravy.
It’s like a heart attack on a plate, but from the look on Walt’s face, at least he’ll die happy.
Mr. Butters is there too, of course, but strangely he is not wearing anything on his tubby body. No hats or ties or doggy vests. That’s unusual. He looks a little naked but seems very pleased about it.
Dot gives me a wink. “Morning, sunshine,” she says. “How’re you feeling?”
“Fantastic.” I shoot her a warning look and shake my head slightly. I haven’t talked to Mom this morning, and I don’t want to start a conversation by confessing that I was out drinking mezcal at midnight.
Just then Sebastian comes in the door and slides dramatically into the last remaining seat at the table. “Apologies,” he says. “I couldn’t find the right pocket square this morning. Such a bother.”
Our waiter appears and pours us coffee before we can even ask.
“Thanks, Brody.” I smile at the clean-cut young man. He’s Mary Beth’s youngest son, home for the summer from college in Pullman.
“Did you all have a chance to review the sales offer?” Dot asks, sliding a document across the table to me. Everyone nods. I scan the document in puzzlement.
“What’s this?”
“An offer to buy our building,” Mom explains. “From a local investor.”
Surprised, I read it quickly. My eyes skip to the purchase price. It’s a very good offer, even split four ways. More money than I would have expected. But this is all so sudden. I don’t know what to think.
“We all have to decide to sell or the deal is off,” Dot says. “It’s for the whole building.”
“What about our businesses?” I ask, alarmed. “Would we have to move? I’m just about to open the store.”
“The owner is offering us very good long-term rents,” Dot explains. “No need to move if you don’t want to.”
“Oh, that’s a relief,” Hilda says. “What would I do with my time if I didn’t have the shop?”
“These are very good terms,” Sebastian agrees, consulting his copy of the sales agreement. He looks thoughtful. “I have visions of expanding my shop hours, offering some cooking classes and bespoke events…This offer would certainly make that financially possible.”
Taken aback, I scan the letter. The buyer is listed as an LLC.
“Anyone know who the buyer really is?” I ask.
Dot and Walt exchange a look.
“It’s me,” Walt announces, chewing a large bite of ham.
“You’re Rainy Day Real Estate LLC?” I ask, astonished.
Walt nods. “I am.”
“Why do you want to buy our building?” Hilda asks.
Walt shrugs. “I like real estate. I own a good half a dozen buildings around town. Figured this one was a good investment, and it would help all of you out at the same time.”
That is an unexpected revelation. I had no idea Walt was a real estate magnate in town. This morning is full of surprises.
“If Walt owns the building, he’s on the hook for all the repairs,” Dot explains, “including all the upgrades to satisfy the new county codes.”
Walt nods placidly. I’m struggling to understand the particulars of the offer, however.
“So you’d be our landlord? We would rent from you?” My mind is skipping many steps ahead.
“Sure, you can sign any length of contract you want,” Walt says. “I’ll give you a real good deal. It might even save you money in the long run, with property taxes and repairs being so high.”
“Why would you do this for us?” Mom asks Walt cautiously.
He shrugs. “A man’s gotta do his part for his community.
And I gotta do right by my sister too. Can’t have her shop closing on account of needing some new pipes.
” He nods toward Dot. “So I figured it was a win-win. I get a good investment and you get peace of mind. Think it over and talk with the others. I’m in no hurry.
” He goes back to his enormous platter, sopping up gravy with half a fluffy biscuit.
“I need to get back to the store,” Sebastian says, standing. “I have a shipment of oils coming in any minute.” He taps the document on the table. “I’ll have my attorney look this over, and after he’s had a chance to discuss it with me, I’ll get back to you with my vote.”
Hilda stands too. “I’m okay with selling if that’s what we decide,” she says. “I don’t have the money to pay for what the county is making us do. Either we sell, or I’ll have to close up shop and sell anyway.”
“Or we could come up with another option,” I add.
“Maybe we don’t have to sell at all.” Walt’s offer is enticing—easy, generous, and it would solve everyone’s immediate financial problems. But to sell our shop?
I need some time to think about it. At first glance it doesn’t sit right with me somehow.
“We need some time to think about it,” Mom says, putting her arm around my shoulders and giving me a soft little squeeze. “Since this is Emmie’s new shop, I’m going to leave the decision up to her.”
“If there’s a way to afford the repairs and keep our shops, I’d be all for that,” Hilda tells me as she floats out the door after Sebastian in a cloud of patchouli essential oil and a swish of her full hippie skirt. “Let me know if you come up with any other good ideas.”
“That’s my cue,” Dot says, standing and throwing a five-dollar bill on the table for her coffee. Walt is still plowing through his enormous plate. “I gotta get the shop opened. See you all in a few.” Dot leaves.
Now it’s just Walt, Mom, and me.
Mom stands with difficulty, grabbing her cane.
I stand too. “Thank you, Walter. This is a generous offer. We have a lot to think about.” She pauses.
“I’ll see you Thursday.” She hobbles out the door, Mr. Butters at her heels.
He’s almost prancing this morning, blocky head held high.
I follow her out, holding the proposal from Walt.
“No doggy costume today?” I observe, glancing at Mr. Butters.
Mom looks down in surprise. “Oh, I just didn’t have time. Too much on my social calendar, something has to go.” She waves a hand. I smile. Maybe she’s finding a path for herself after all.
“What’s happening Thursday with Walt?” I ask as we head down the sidewalk toward our store.